| There is a lot of excitement in the Twin Cities | | | | There are plenty of reasons to be positive that |
| lately around Twins baseball. For the first time | | | | 2010 could be another playoff year for the Twins. |
| since 1981, there will be outdoor baseball in | | | | They were 87-76 a season ago, and that was |
| Minnesota. The Twins moved indoors to the | | | | the worst record among the playoff teams. That |
| Metrodome in 1982, but were quite comfortable | | | | also means there is plenty of room for |
| there. They won numerous division titles and even | | | | improvement so they can have a better position |
| won a pair of World Series in 1987 and 1991. | | | | once they get to the playoffs. Minnesota is lead |
| Ultimately though, baseball is a game that is | | | | by catcher, native son, and reigning American |
| meant to be played outdoors on grass. That is | | | | League MVP Joe Mauer. Mauer is everything you |
| what has Twins so excited for April. That is when | | | | want in a franchise player. He loves playing in |
| the brand new Target Field will open as the new | | | | Minnesota, considering he grew up nearby. He is |
| outdoor home of the Twins. For two seasons it | | | | also a triple crown threat, batting an amazing.365 |
| will be the newest ballpark in baseball until the new | | | | with 28 home runs and 96 RBI's. Some experts |
| Florida Marlins Stadium opens in 2012, and it could | | | | even think that Mauer could become the next |
| bring the All-Star game to Minneapolis in the near | | | | player to hit.400 if he can continue to improve. It |
| future. | | | | is certainly not outside the realm of possibility in |
| Even with the prospect of a new stadium | | | | 2010. Jason Kubel provides him help in the lineup |
| opening, The Twins almost did not want to leave | | | | as a.300 hitter himself. He also had 28 home runs |
| the Metrodome. As it was, they got a pair of | | | | and 103 RBI's. The Twins made the made the |
| bonus games late last season thanks to a solid | | | | home run a staple of their offense with Michael |
| playoff run. The Twins faced a three game deficit | | | | Cuddyer hitting 32 home runs, while former MVP |
| against the Detroit Tigers with four games to | | | | Justin Morneau is still around. |
| play, but clawed back to force a one game | | | | Pitching could be a bit of an issue for Minnesota, |
| playoff in the Metrodome. The Metrodome magic | | | | but they should be fine in 2010 anyway. Scott |
| worked one more time too, as the Twins won | | | | Baker was a 15 game winner in 2009 and should |
| the extra game in 12 innings to move on to the | | | | be a solid starter again in 2010. The long awaited |
| American League Division Series. Once there, the | | | | return of Francisco Liriano could also help the |
| Twins fell short of the eventual World Champion | | | | Twins if he bounces back from an arm injury. He |
| New York Yankees, getting swept in three | | | | has been dominant in winter ball so far, so there |
| games. | | | | is definitely some excitement about him. |